Kennedy Energy Park in Hughenden, Queensland will soon receive its shipment of 70 metre wind turbine blades following their import through Townsville.
The shipment of 36 blades and 3,500 tonnes of cargo from China will form part of the world’s first hybrid large-scale power plant.
The $160 million project combines twelve 200m high wind turbines, 55,000 solar panels, and 4MW of lithium Ion Tesla battery storage.
The project is being developed by Canberra-based Windlab Limited and Japan’s Eurus Energy Holdings Corporation, with Vestas providing the wind turbines and control software and Quanta Solar and Vestas delivering the engineering, procurement and construction of the project.
Head of Vestas Australia and New Zealand, Peter Cowling, said the arrival of the blades in Townsville is another milestone achieved in this fast-moving project, scheduled to commence operations toward the end of 2018.
“We are committed to working with our customers and partners to bring cutting edge hybrid solutions to Australia and Queensland, and working with local communities to contribute to Australia’s renewable future,” Mr Cowling said.
The Kennedy Energy Park will create around 110 jobs during construction, including contracts with 18 local businesses, power the equivalent of 30,000 homes and decrease 185,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum.
KEP co-owner, Windlab Chief Executive Officer, Roger Price, said the project can export up to 60MW of power into the existing Ergon network, via two new substations at KEP and Cape River near Pentland.
“The second stage of the project, 70km north of Hughenden, would potentially inject $2 billion into North Queensland; a vitally important wind resource for the state,” Mr Price said.
Quanta Solar President, Charles Wright, said preparation for the large structures is currently underway in Hughenden.
“Each turbine requires 600 cubic metres of concrete footing, which is equivalent to around a quarter of an Olympic swimming pool,” Mr Wright said.
“Pours for each footing will take between 8-10 hours to complete.”
